Strong hints at changes in lineup, suspends Perkins for one game

A confident and at ease Charlie Strong appeared before reporters Sept. 26 for his weekly press conference in advance of the Texas Longhorns traveling to face Oklahoma State at 11 a.m. Oct. 1 on ABC.

But Strong wasn’t relaxed enough to give details on who would be the featured defenders.

“You want my game plan, huh?” he said to a reporter who asked him for names of the players who will play significant roles during the contest. “I’ve got some guys.”

And fans will see them against the Cowboys (2-2, 0-1), Strong added.

This contest is important for both teams since the loser will continue to answer questions about what’s going on with his program.

OSU is coming off a 35-24 loss at Baylor Sept. 24, while the Longhorns (2-1, 0-0) took a much-needed bye following the 50-43 loss at California Sept. 19.

Texas spent last week simply getting better in all phases, Strong said. His biggest move was being more involved in the defensive room and having a bigger say on personnel.

“It’s on us,” he said. “We should have a better product.”

He still stood beside defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, adding the two were on the Florida staff when the Gators won a national championship in 2008.

“It’s not like he all the sudden forgot to coach,” Strong said, adding he didn’t think changing defensive coordinator would help the team at the moment.

But there’s no question Strong is more confident the defense can be fixed immediately; he looked much different when he demoted Shawn Watson and Joe Wickline of offensive coordinator duties in 2015.

“I’ve coached defense, I know defense, and I know how to stop people,” he said. “That’s why it’s on me.”

He did reassure the Longhorns will be more aggressive on defense and will have multiple looks.

“We’ll have really good personnel,” he said. “Now let’s go play.”

Offensive tackle Kent Perkins also addressed reporters Sept. 26 following his DWI arrest. Strong announced Perkins is suspended for the OSU game, will undergo counseling and perform community service. Alex Anderson and Jake McMillon are expected to play.

Perkins apologized to his family, teammates, friends and “anybody who’s ever looked up to me.”

“I know I disappointed a lot of people,” he said.

He addressed the offensive line room, adding that he hurts knowing he let down those players. He said his first conversation with Strong following his arrest was being reassured by the coach that he knows the incident isn’t indicative of the lineman’s character.

“I’m willing to take whatever punishment,” Perkins said. “It’s my mistake. I did it. I’m willing to take full responsibility.”

As for his time in jail, Perkins said he was terrified.

“I thought about people who love me and how I may have disappointed them,” he said. “Going forward I’m going to do a lot of things right.”

He plans on gaining back the trust of all those he let down, adding this experience has taught him what’s important.

“I’m grateful I didn’t cause injury to somebody else,” he said. “I’m thankful to God nothing physically happened to me or anybody else.”